underneath the apple tree

Christmas day dress

2012-01-15T01:59:00.000-08:00

I can definitely be accused of not buying the twins a lot of their own clothing however it is really only due to the fact that when Ivy grows out of her lovely things the little girls not only want to wear their older sisters things however they fit into them nicely. So for Christmas I decided it was time to make the little girls a dress of their own with some of the fabric in my stash.

Isla is sporting her favourite colour yellow, the fabric came from The Fabric Store Surry Hills.

Willow loves blue, yes I know so refreshing from the usual pink love affair. Main fabric from Spotlight.

Excuse the undie flash!

The girls loved their dresses, I can strongly see their love of clothing (like me!) already.

Winter Knits...

2011-07-20T04:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it would have been nice if we had some happy smiley faces but we got there in the end.

This beautiful cardigan was knitted by our dear Aunty Ros, she is AH-MAYZ-ING! I sent her a picture of the sort of styles I liked (from the Seed website of course) and she whipped this one up in less than two weeks. It is a beautiful cotton from the wool shed and came up so soft. Aunty Ros put so much gorgeous detail into - she is a mighty fine knitter and has since completed two more cardigans for the twins. You may not see the cute little pockets on the front (just like grandpa had!) where Ivy loves to put all those little things, which are of high importance, you know like barbie shoes, lollies etc.

So thank you Aunty Ros we think you have done a fab job and hope you will continue to knit for us in the years to come xx

yum, yum and yum!

2011-06-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

I had to share this great cookie recipe with you, thanks to the lovely nigella. It has been a while since I have baked and I now remember why...... I eat too much of my own creations.

This is how mine turned out......

Recipe: Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies

Nigella Lawson

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup rolled oats
125g salt free butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup superfine sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
3/4 cup white chocolate chips

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 180C.

Measure out the flour, baking powder, salt and rolled oats into a bowl.

Put the butter and sugars into another bowl and beat together until creamy — this is obviously easier with an electric mixer of some kind, but you just need to put some muscle into otherwise — then beat in the egg and vanilla.

Beat in the flour, baking powder, salt and oat mixture and then fold in the cranberries, chopped pecans and chocolate chips.

Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into a ball with your hands, and then place them on a lined or greased baking sheet and squish the dough balls down with a fork. You may need two baking sheets or be prepared to make these in two batches.

Cook for 15 minutes; when ready, the cookies will be tinged a pale gold, but be too soft to lift immediately off the tray, so leave the tray on a cool surface and let them harden for about 5 minutes. Remove with a spatula or whatever to cool fully on a wire rack.

Serving Size

Makes 30

The next Olsen twins...

2011-06-23T20:10:00.000-07:00

I watched from a far, amused at my little girls performing what I believe could be the beginning of a fabulous career!

Isla, who true to form was in charge and predictably bossy was using a pink ribbon for a tape measure to take the measurements of her twin sister's waist.

My budding seamstress was efficient and calculating and extremely passionate about the task at hand, perhaps the next Olsen twins ? One will tell!

dress revival

2011-06-07T05:34:00.000-07:00

This is Ivy, she is funny. She loves cuddles and sunsets and barbie and the colour red. Sometimes she is dramatic and difficult but mostly just lovely. She has suddenly decided that wearing a dress all year round is the way to go. This dress, I made for her from a light denim about a year ago.

This dress has come in handy with the sudden change of fashion interests however it was a little too close to her undies in the length department, so we added a ruffle to the bottom and ta da we have another year out of it! Normally she wears tights and boots with it. If you are a mad scooter rider you generally take your shoes and tights off!

This is Ivy - she is fun! oh and a great model. x

vintage swing coat

2011-05-17T05:35:00.000-07:00

just part of the furniture!

Here @ underneath the apple tree, I try run a little business amongst running a household with three small children, working part time and being a wife. Some times it works and sometimes it doesn't work so well and things lapse. I decided to have a break from markets at the start of the year and attempt to develop a more extensive range and do a wider variety of markets in different areas and not specifically kids markets later in the year. I have been rather slow and I am now finally getting together some samples ready for patterns to be graded and then to the makers to help with production. I am happy and some what excited about the pieces which are on the way and thought I would share one of my favourites with you.

This is the vintage swing coat.

I plan to finish the coat with a sweet feature button and have it teamed up with a brown floral little dress or a soft salmon pink harem pant and a cream self spot blouse. Keep watching this space for more of the next range. x

Lots to show you!

2011-04-25T05:54:00.000-07:00

We have a new place to call home and it feels really good. We have so much space and storage and a room which I call my creative studio. My husband calls it his office but I don't like to pull him up on his mistakes. Our lounge/dining room is really open and spacious and has an amazing view it instantly puts you in a good mood. It would be selfish not to share these images with you.

welcome come in!

such a lovely view

oh the serenity

we are even lucky to see the beach in the distance,
less the crane and construction site would be nice.

my studio in the making

just some of the many loves of my life.

what a lovely little girls range these fabrics will make

So easter here was really nice and relaxing

rain hail or shine it didn't matter to me or

my troupe, the easter bunny still comes when

it rains we found out. x

H A P P Y E A S T E R X

hello out there,

2011-04-11T05:45:00.000-07:00

It's been so long I know - we have been moving house and settling in and packing and unpacking and all that so I have a heap of closet blogs to post but firstly I wanted to show you a little piece I made for myself before we moved house. Fabric from The Fabric Store in Surry Hills, I really love their stuff.

This is a little close up of the print, it is really delicate and the muted colours make it.

Here is the finished product, pattern is mcall's and was another make in an hour number (yep that's right I have little patience) sorry this was taken after a million tapas and a couple of cocktails under my belt. I would prefer not to have any pics taken of me. However pleased to be wearing some thing I have made. yah!

a quickie....

2011-03-09T16:31:00.000-08:00

Things have been rather hectic around here, we have to move from our amazing little spot on the beach, so with the house hunting and the normal house hold stuff that goes on there hasn't been a lot time for creating. I have been doing a lot of fabric "research" one might say - ok buying lovely fabric. Ooooo I love you "the fabric Store" Surry Hills.

Anyway just thought I'd share a little dress that I made out of some of the sale fabric I bought at the end of last year, very inexpensive so a great one to wear to kindy. It is a variation on the Willow dress with a sleeve which is cut away and left un-hemmed.

Hi mum

I did a size five in yellow and white stripe (photos on the way) and it literally took less than an hour to cut and sew. I used stretch needle which made the fabric easier to work with.

Jersey fabric

It is very hard mum to watch Charlie and Lola and text at the same time!

DA DAH !!

2011-02-22T02:10:00.000-08:00

This is something one of my girls says - all the time and this is exactly how I felt when finishing my first quilt. Some how I thought it would be easy making a quilt especially one which is just squares! Little did I know and sorry to those I made light of. So machine stitching squares together should technically be quite easy however it wasn't until I put the whole thing together with the backing that I realised how accurate one must be with their measurements.

With much perseverance and about a year later I completed my first quilt and I must say I do love it, all top fabrics are Ami Butler. The free motion quilting was beautifully done by a clever crafty friend of mine and I used a bamboo batting in between which is not bulky however lovely and warm. The edges were bound together with pre-made bias binding (to save time not money!).

Now I just need to make two more so I have one for each of my lovely girls.

our twirly whirly dress

2011-02-01T01:25:00.000-08:00

What is it that is so exciting about a dress that twirls? Every dress that doesn't twirl seems to be a disappointment to our little 4 year Ivy. I have been playing around with patterns and using up bits of fabric which were added to the stash merely because I had to have them. You can imagine how excited little miss was with this one.

This was a voile from spotlight which I picked up in one of their sales for $5 per metre, it is lovely and light weight for hot days like these.

long time no speak...

2011-01-17T01:55:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time between posts and although I am not a daily poster I am a closet poster. I post in my head, however anything that has come to mind in the last week or so seems so menial compared to the natural disaster happening across our country. The stories in which are unfolding have been tragic and devastating for us to watch, imagine experiencing this first hand. I am so lucky that nothing this devastating has ever happened to me. The most tragic thing I have experienced in the last week was my twins pulling the keys and their plastic casings from the keyboard of my macbook! clearly not even worth mentioning. So my silence is just, one would say and if like me funds are not flush any thing helps and if you have a little or a lot, any help is welcomed. For cash donations head to www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html.

oh please!

handmade love

2011-01-02T03:43:00.000-08:00

I must have put the handmade love vibe out there as for christmas my girls all received new pj's from their lovely nanny gez.

nanny made shorts and button up tops for the twins, as they love to remove all items of clothing if given the opportunity and she figured buttons were too hard for the little ones.

and Ivy received a lovely nightie in which she must feel delightful in as it's all she wants to wear and has even taken to putting her silver ballet flats on and dancing around the house.

too cute!

happy new year

2010-12-31T20:59:00.000-08:00

It's funny how the year passes by and we wonder what actually happened this year. New year's eve has never been so important since having children, we normally head on down to the manly fire works and have a picnic by the sea. Last night we had a quiet bbq at my brothers and home by 10pm and tucked into bed by 11.30pm - yep didn't even make midnight. oh well! We did however spend new years morning at the beach before every body got sooo tired they almost collapsed in the sand. This is one of our traditions and for me it has become more important than new years eve itself. We have a beach only steps away and here are some shots from back in winter when we didn't have to share the space with anyone else other than the seagulls. These are lovely times and are exactly what filled 2010 up with. Happy new years !!!

apples, apples, apples......

2010-12-10T03:22:00.000-08:00

With apples being a part of my market display I always come home with a bucket full of granny smiths. I know the choice is obvious - apple pie all the way however I am not a huge fan of apple pie. Apple crumble? yes, apple flan? yes however I was wondering if anyone out there has an unbelievable apple recipe for me?? I would love to hear from you. I know last time I made puree for a friends baby however there was so much of it the poor boy is probably still eating it!

These are some of the fabrics which didn't make it in the last range of clothing. When I begin to create I tend to have way more ideas than my budget or time will ever allow me to complete. That is what I love about sewing though every purchase is an investment, supplies to be put into the fabric bank for a rainy day, you have got to love that.

When I am in market mode I never get to make anything for my own girls and now with that behind me (until the next sewing frenzy) I can focus on creating some new styles for my little lovelies to wear in this summer weather - that is when it isn't raining. These fabrics I grabbed from spotlight and are a stretch fabric (I was thinking the less ironing the better) and really want to play around with different directions of stripes in the one dress. So that's what I am up to at the moment.

mathilda's market and fashion parade!!!

2010-12-02T18:24:00.000-08:00

okaydokey so as you all know this weekend is a very special mathilda's christmas market lane cove and it's going to be a beauty, sooo many fabulous stalls to take a look at and of course underneath the apple tree will have some very exciting stuff this year. you have already seen a taste of it on my blog however pop on down and see it all on show. we have loads of pretty summer dresses, rompers, bloomers, hair accessories and new to underneath the apple tree are the cute giraffe softies in beautiful prints. all would make lovely christmas gifts, we hope to see all your smiley faces at lane cove this sunday xxx

the parade......

now onto my next very important piece of information, the up and coming kids fashion parade. all profits go to a really good cause - bear cottage. so dig into your pockets and please buy a ticket for a great cause and come down to rialto square manly next wednesday to watch the parade whilst enjoying a champagne brunch, not to mention a 25% discount on children's wear in store after the show. there is plenty of room for the kids to come along and enjoy the show. labels like mama papa, chalk and cheese, coco and ginger, munster and underneath the apple tree. you can call the shop to pay for tickets 02 8966 9555 but be quick tickets are selling fast, more details below. hope to also see you there!!!!

i do love to sew!

2010-11-30T02:01:00.000-08:00

well, as you can imagine my sewing machine is in over drive at the moment and i am having nightmares of rocking up at mathilda's market with nothing on my little hangers, you know like that dream where you arrive at school and look down to find you are naked. that one is a beauty! always enters my sleeping domaine when things are extremely hectic. not to mention that i called one of my sewers today to see what what time to collect the completed work and she says she thought it was next week, fabulous! anyhow i guess there is no real point in stressing something in which i can not change. lets just hope i arrive on sunday with my clothes on.

i have really enjoyed creating my most recent dress, it is a recent pattern in which i have amended and made my own. i think my litte redhead would look lovely in this one. x

heads down bums up!!

2010-11-22T03:17:00.000-08:00

well with less than two weeks until the next market my head is definitely firmly down with my bum up, it is crunch time and this house hold is feeling the pressure. i never know where the time goes. i have decided to run this style as a an easy wear beach dress. i think it is important to have these pieces in the wardrobe for the little ones to wear to the beach or park and that are easy to wash for the mummies(or daddies) and need no ironing. it will come in an aqua jersey also.

this is lovely willow (twin number two) or b twin as they liked to call her when she was inside and certainly needs a few tips on how to model the piece without looking like you are about to cry.

this is one of many creations i will be showcasing at the next mathilda's markets 05 december at riverview college lane cove. i will be reminding you all the week before x

the prairie skirt

2010-11-16T19:48:00.000-08:00

Introducing the prairie skirt, this has been my project for the last couple of days to make a size run from left over fabrics which i don't have enough left to make dresses. One of the things i love best is combining prints and textures so this project was something i really enjoyed. these will be at the next mathilda's markets at lane cove on sunday 5th december. 2 1/2 weeks left and counting!

my little model looking lovely in the prairie skirt (i just need to let her know gently, she can't keep this one!). For orders please email me.

2010-11-05T03:17:00.000-07:00

This is a new pattern for me (oh and how I hate new patterns!) i love the part once you have drafted, constructed and completed a little item and it looks fabulous however the in between doesn't really excite me.  I have been really looking forward to using this beautifully light cotton voile and what better than on a  baby jumpsuit. The pattern needs tweaking and even though this one isn't quite finished I think it will turn out very nicely. Shame my model won't let go of her beloved bear for her model shoots!

A first for everything

2010-10-26T02:53:00.000-07:00

After many nights behind my trusty Janome sewing machine "underneath the apple tree" was born. With my first market behind me I will now post my very  first blog and hope you are intrigued enough to follow all the lovely creations which are in the making.